Editorial: The neurobiology of suicide: the ‘suicidal brain'

(GMVs) before and after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in adolescents with MDD and suicidal ideation. The authors reported increased GMV in the right superior frontal gyrus and right superior temporal gyrus after ECT. They also reported that frontal-temporal-precuneus structure changes may be a potential cause of depressive and suicidal symptoms in adolescents (Xiao Li et al.). In the sixth study, Jia Li et al. examined the associations between anxiety, depression, and risk of suicidal behavior in Chinese medical school students. The authors emphasized the importance of screening for anxiety and depressive symptoms in assessing the risk of suicidal behavior and reducing anxiety in addition to depressive symptoms in treatment (Jia Li et al.). In this review, Dobbertin et al. evaluated the current results of MRI studies examining the neuroimaging changes of the suicidal brain and its relevance to and practice. The authors reported that there were morphological changes in brain neuroimaging studies, especially in the frontolimbic network, and there was evidence pointing to deterioration in cognitive functions (Dobbertin et al.). In the eighth article, Koseki et al. examined a pharmacovigilance approach to assess the occurrence of suicidal events induced by antiepileptic drugs using the Japanese adverse drug event report database. The increased suicidality after antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy is controversial. The authors suggested that especially young women using more than one antiepileptic drug should be warned about suicidal behavior in the first months of treatment (Koseki et al.). In the ninth article, Tsiouris and Flory compared the down-regulation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels in leukocytes of hibernating black bears with the findings of cyclic adenosine monophosphate reported in major depressive disorder. It has been reported in previous studies that cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels in lymphoblasts and leukocytes of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) are downregulated compared to controls. Similarities have been noted between the neurobiological changes associated with MDD in humans and many conditions associated with mammalian hibernation. The authors noted that they resemble neurobiological findings associated with hypometabolism (metabolic depression) observed during mammalian hibernation and reported during MDD (Tsiouris and Flory). In the last study, da Silva Schmitz et al. sought an answer to the question of whether glutathione could be a biomarker for suicide risk in women 18 months after birth. In this study, it was concluded that there is a relationship between low glutathione levels in the postpartum period and suicide risk. The authors noted that glutathione may be a potential biomarker or etiological factor in women at moderate to high risk of suicide (da Silva Schmitz et al.).We would like to thank the Frontiers for their interest and support in the planning of our Research Topic. We would like to thank all the authors and referees who contributed to the preparation of the Research Topic.The preparation of the Research Topic was a long journey…. I would like to thank my esteemed colleagues, Professor E.Erdal Ersan and Dr.Hilario Blasco-Fontecilla, with whom we took part in this journey. I respectfully commemorate Professor Ghanshyam N. Pandey, with whom we were together at the beginning of the journey but passed away before our Research Topic was completed.The pandemic experience that affected our world during our Research Topic changed our lives. Then, a short time ago, the earthquake disaster that took place in our country, in Turkey, increased our suffering even more. I respectfully commemorate all the souls who passed away in both life events that created significant stress. Continuing to work, produce and contribute to science without losing hope and increasing solidarity despite all difficulties should be among our priorities... In conclusion, I think that the Research Topic provides the following: Determination of neurobiological risk factors for suicidal behavior will play an important role in the prevention of suicide, as well as in the regulation of treatment algorithms and in the follow-up of treatment.